‘The father of Swedish music’ and ‘the Swedish Handel’ are two descriptions of Johan Helmich Roman (1694 – 1758), one of Sweden’s most important composers. Roman composed around twenty Assaggi (Assaggio has been translated as ‘sample’, ‘essay’, ‘study’ or ‘experiment’) and they range from multi-movement works to single movements, with some surviving as just fragments. They are beautifully written for the violin and reveal a startling musical imagination at work.
Increasingly in demand as leader and soloist with early music ensembles throughout Europe, Canadian-American Baroque violinist Alison Luthmers performs with Concerto Copenhagen, Camerata Øresund, Höör Barock, Göteborg Baroque, Eslövs Kammarorkester and Nivalis Barokk.